Built by Fairchild Aircraft Limited in Longueuil, Quebec, the Bristol Bolingbroke was operated in multiple roles by the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II. It was a variant of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV.

This was an important aircraft for Quebec’s aviation manufacturing industry as it was one of the first all-metal, stressed skin aircraft manufactured in Canada, and required the development of new skills by the local workforce.

During WWII the RCAF used the Bolingbroke in anti-submarine patrols off the Canadian and Alaskan coasts, general reconnaissance and crew training, especially gunners and bomb aimers.         

Fairchild Aircraft Limited build over 600 of these twin-engine bombers during WWII.

This aircraft was rescued from a farmer’s field in Western Canada. Restoration work is underway, and it will be finished in the Coastal Command livery representing Bolingbroke number 9066, a “Boly” that served in several squadrons on both coasts and in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.   

When restoration is completed, it will be placed on static display.

The Bolingbroke cockpit is a real attraction As well as being on display at MAM, we also often take it to external airshows and exhibitions where it always attracts lots of attention, especially from children. Here’s the latest status on the Bolingbroke aircraft restoration project by the Montreal Aviation Museum (MAM) volunteers.